Modern computers and software make it easy to play classic console games. We are talking about the legendary PlayStation 2, which has many interesting and popular projects. It is quite difficult to find the original set-top box in working condition. But setting up a PS2 emulator on a PC and playing all console entertainment for free can be quite easy. Let’s figure out how to do it.
What is required for customization?
First, we highlight the main components that need to be prepared before embarking on the installation and configuration of the emulator with games. In order for the console system emulation to work, you need to download the following:
- Emulator installer. The most popular at the moment is the PCSX2 application. It is also the most reliable and stable. Since this software has been developed for a long time and is still being supplemented, you will not find critical errors or crashes in it. The PlayStation 2 emulator is free.
- Game files. You also need to download the necessary games in the form of special files.
- Additional software. To properly configure the PS2 emulator on a PC, you need to install the latest versions of MVC ++ and DirectX. If you do not install the first utility, then the program itself may not start, and without DirectX there will be problems with the game. You can download installers of both utilities on the official Microsoft website for free.
After preparation, you can begin to install and parse the parameters in the program. Let's start with the installation.
Install PCSX2
Download the free version of the emulator in Russian and unzip it to any folder on your computer. The only condition of the folder for storing emulator files is the absence of Russian letters and special characters in the path to the directory. It is also best to place the program on the system partition of the hard drive.
If you downloaded the PCSX2 emulator as a regular archive, then after unpacking you will not have to install the software. Just open the folder and run the executable file.
If you downloaded a separate file for installation, then after its launch a wizard with tips will appear, with which you can easily install the PS2 emulator on a PC. This procedure is no different from installing any application or game on Windows.
Launch and setup
Now you need to run the emulator and get acquainted with its contents. For convenience, you can create a shortcut to the executable file and place it on the desktop. The file called pcsx2 is responsible for the launch. We open it.
The application knows that you are a new user, therefore it greets you with a welcome screen. You can select a language first. The default is Russian, so just click on the "Apply" button.
After proceeding to the next step, a window will appear for loading the necessary plug-ins. This procedure is performed automatically. Please note that all lines must be filled with names. On the CDVD line, you must specify the Linuz Iso CDVD variant.
The next step is to select the BIOS version. The most stable is Japan v01.00, so choose it. Other options take place in individual cases. After making the initial settings, the main window of the PlayStation 2 emulator appears. They will be saved even after the game is released and restarted. After you turn on the emulator again, you will immediately go to the main window. Information about the characteristics of the computer that creates the PS2 system is displayed here.
Parsing application settings
Let's start setting up the program. To do this, go to the item of the same name on the top panel and select the "Emulation Settings" section. Here are 4 tabs:
- EE / IOP Settings. Here are the parameters that affect the performance of the emulator. You can leave it by default, because there are already optimal settings for your system.
- VU settings. This section almost completely repeats the purpose of the first.
- GS settings. In this tab, the user can set the number of FPS, set the limit, frame skip, slowdown, and so on.
- GS window. One of the main windows in setting the emulator image. Here you can specify the aspect ratio of the window, select a resolution, display the cursor, enable / disable vertical synchronization, and so on.
- Speed hacks. The functionality of the tab is used only in some situations when you need to configure the PS2 emulator on a PC for older games.
- Corrections for games. Here are collected ready-made presets for individual game series or parameters. If your case fits one of the above, then just turn it on.
Video settings
Now let's move on to more detailed video settings in the emulator. To do this, do the following:
- Open the "Settings" menu and go to the "Video" subsection. Here you need to open the "Plugin Settings" section.
- In the window that opens, you need to set the parameters in accordance with your operating system. In the Renderer field, you need to specify the Direct3D11 option if you are using Windows 8 or 10. For Seven or Vista, you need to specify Direct3D10, and for completely outdated Windows XP OS - Direct3D9.
- Now go to the Interlacing field and find the Blend off (slight blur) parameter.
- Now uncheck the box next to the Native parameter, so that you can manually change the resolution. In the field you need to set the parameters of the window in which the game will be displayed from the console.
Image adjustment in games through the PS2 emulator on a Windows PC is finished. Let's move on to the sound settings.
Audio settings
To access the sound parameters, also go to the "Settings" menu. The plugin parameters contain the following options:
- Indication of volume level.
- Sync options.
- Debug mode
- Select a device to exit.
- Delay level and others.
If you have problems with playing the soundtrack of a particular game, then you need to experiment with the options in this window.
Game Launch Preparation
Since we configured all the parameters through the plugin, we need to specify the corresponding parameter to start the game images. To do this, go to the top CDVD menu and switch the settings to the "Use plug-in" position. In this case, all launched games will use the audio and video settings that you specified in the PS2 emulator window for PC on Windows.
Before you enable the image of the game, you need to tackle the control settings. Depending on the controller used, use one of the provided manuals.
Keyboard control
To access the settings, go to the "Settings" menu and select the "Joysticks" subsection. In it, open the "Plugin Settings" window. As a result, a window for managing keys appears on the screen. The emulator can be configured simultaneously for two control devices, since many console games have a multi-user mode.
To configure the main control device, you need to open the Pad 1 tab. First, configure the action keys. They are located in the Face buttons block. To change the value of a button, click on it with the mouse cursor, and then press the desired key on the keyboard. Let's analyze the names of each of the controls:
- The Cross button is an analogue of the cross;
- Square is an imitation of a square;
- The Triangle button corresponds to a triangle;
- Circle, based on the name, refers to a circle.
To configure the control of the PS2 emulator on the PC, you also need to select the keys to move. The block called D-Pad is responsible for them. From the name, it’s simple enough to understand (Up, Left, Right, Down) the purpose of each of the buttons. Based on the convenience for the user, you can select a block of keys located close to each other. For example, a block with arrows on the keyboard.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to turn on mouse control support, since there wasn’t such a function in the original console. So get ready for the fact that in games with scrolling the camera will have to control her keys.
Gamepad control
You can connect any external gamepad to the PCSX2 emulator. Perfect for DualShock from the original set-top box or a modern Sony controller. The main condition for using the joystick is support in the operating system. If the necessary drivers are installed on your computer, then the gamepad will be determined in this program.
First you need to check the General tab. Look at the block called Divece Diagnostics. After you connected the gamepad, it should determine the operating system and appear in this list. If we are talking about a wireless joystick, then not the name of the control device itself will appear in the list, but the Bluetooth adapter.
If the built-in PS2 gamepad emulator for the PC determines the controller, you must proceed to the distribution of buttons. To do this, open the Pad 1 tab again. The buttons are assigned exactly the same as in the case with the keyboard. At the end of the settings, save the changes and exit the control settings window.
Game launch
Now we proceed directly to the inclusion of console games. To do this, open the "Start" menu and select the item "Run CD / DVD (fast)". The Explorer menu opens, in which you need to select the directory where the images of PS2 games downloaded in advance are stored. They have the usual ISO format for most users. Click on the "Open" button and wait for the game to load with the emulator. Depending on how the selected game will work, it is necessary to adjust the program parameters. The settings listed are not final and are only correct for hundreds of console projects. Each game is individual and may require a detailed adjustment of all parameters. If necessary, find special instructions for a specific game.
What to play?
First of all, of course, you need to get acquainted with the classics in the form of exclusive projects that can not be run on any other console or PC.
The Metal Gear Solid Series is an exclusive project for consoles from Sony. On PS2, you can familiarize yourself with the second part of the series, however it is best to start the walkthrough from the first generation console.
Devil May Cry can be attributed to the legendary games on the PS. Modern parts come out on personal computers, but classics can only be tested on old consoles or special emulators.
The Gran Tourismo series is a popular racing game. The second part of the series was released specifically on the PlayStation 2. The project is distinguished by its huge scale and realistic (for its time) model of car behavior on the roads.
God of War is represented on this console in two first parts. Since a rethinking of the series has recently been released, avid gamers can familiarize themselves with the classic slasher by launching it on PCSX2.
Burnout 3 is another racing series, but with a different focus. If the main emphasis in GT is on realism and serious competition, then in Burnout the opposite is true: destruction, high speeds, crashes, crazy jumps, stunts and so on.
System requirements
Consider the requirements of the PS2 emulator for PC, upon compliance with which you will get comfortable gameplay in all console projects:
- operating system Windows XP or later;
- 3-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2-core processor or equivalent equipment from AMD;
- the minimum allowable amount of RAM is 2 GB;
- 512 MB GeFroce 9800 video card or equivalent from Radeon.
The software is constantly updated by developers, so a "fresh" version of the emulator will be constantly installed on your computer.
But what if your computer is slightly weaker than the system requirements? Then you have to lower the settings and reduce the load on the computer from the operating system.
Optimization
To reduce the load on the system from the side of the game, try changing the resolution of the window to a lower one. Also, an increase in FPS can be affected by a decrease in audio quality. Additional plugins, speedhacks, cheats can also be disabled to improve the smoothness of the picture.
From the side of the computer and the operating system, you can turn off the visual design of Windows, for example, the Aero desktop. Also, be sure to increase the priority of the task in the "Task Manager". This will redirect computer resources to the emulator.
It is worth noting that in some cases the inclusion of a speed hack does not correct the performance situation, but worsens it. Since more resources are used to process the game in this mode, you will get acceleration in terms of gameplay, but the number of FPS, image quality and smoothness can seriously suffer. This PS2 emulator for PC on Windows allows you to select in detail the parameters for each game and save individual templates. So you do not have to manually change the graphics and engine settings each time.
Support for other platforms
Unfortunately, running games from other consoles of this company or from consoles from a third-party manufacturer will not work. You can configure the PS2 emulator on a PC only for the equipment of the same name. For the previous generation of the console, you can use a separate program from the same developers. Management and configuration of the emulator is very similar to PSCX2.
Analogs
Many craftsmen are trying to create the perfect platform for playing classic projects from consoles on a computer. Some people get better, some worse. However, a tuned and working PS2 emulator for PC called PCSX2 is the best candidate. If for some reason you are unable to configure it, then you can look towards Play. This is a relatively new and developing project, which is at the starting point of development. The creators regularly post updates on the official website. You can participate in the development of the project.
Conclusion
PCSX2 is the best PS2 emulator for PC. The main settings and controls are translated into Russian, updates are released that improve the stability and performance of the engine, and most games from the legendary console are also supported.